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Khairatabad Ganesh to depict ‘Operation Sindoor’ theme, idol to be made from clay this year

The Khairatabad Ganesh idol for this year’s Vinayaka Chaturthi will feature the ‘Operation Sindoor’ theme and be crafted from eco-friendly clay. Preparations involve 150 artisans, with expectations of over 10 lakh devotees visiting during the 10-day festival.

By Sunil Mungara

Published Date - 16 June 2025, 02:20 PM

Khairatabad Ganesh to depict ‘Operation Sindoor’ theme, idol to be made from clay this year — File Photo

Hyderabad: Every Vinayaka Chaturthi festivity, a towering Khairatabad Ganesh is specially celebrated for its massive size, ranging from 60 to 70 feet.

The origin of installing the idol dates back to 1954 with a one-foot idol. Over the years, the Khairatabad Ganesh pandal has endeavoured to have the most unique idol in terms of scale and popularity.

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The idol, which receives significant attention every year, attracts devotees by highlighting different themes.

This year, it happens to be the Operation Sindoor.

At the Sri Vishwashanti Maha Shakti Ganapathi theme, Lord Ganesh appears to bestow his blessings upon devotees, symbolising his divine intervention to restore peace throughout the country.

“It takes four months to prepare the tallest idol, similar to the time it took to build a small bridge. Over 150 skilled workers from four states—Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha—are coming to Khairatabad and working day and night for the iconic Ganesh idol,” the idol maker, C Rajendran, who was associated with the committee for the past 47 years, told Telangana Today.m

“We have been using ‘Plaster of Paris’ (PoP) as it gives a rich look and fine finishing. Now, we are making the idol with clay, which we brought from Gujarat State. 1,000 bags (each bag weighing 35 kg) of clay have been ordered already this year. Apart from this, we are using 20 tons of iron for scaffolding and also using other materials like paddy husk powder, iron mesh, and water colours,” he said.

“The colossal Ganesh idol has become a significant attraction, drawing attention and admiration from devotees and visitors alike,” S Raj Kumar, Chairman of the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee, told Telangana Today.

The Ganesh idol will also stand as the most expensive idol in the country. Every year, the committee spends Rs 1 to 1.5 crore on making the idol, relying solely on offerings by devotees, said Raj Kumar.

Each year, the expenses for materials continue to rise sharply, but the committee is willing to spend it. Around 10 to 15 lakh devotees visit the pandal during the 10-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi and seek blessings.

This year, the Utsav committee is also planning to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to unveil the tallest Ganesh idol, said a Ganesh Utsav committee member.